REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 209 



also back, from the middle of the eye. From the tip of the 

 snout, a narrow yellow line runs to each eye ; from the side of 

 the mouth also, two lines pass to the middle of the eye, and 

 two from the lower edge of the jaw. From the extremity of 

 the lower jaw, two larger bands run backwards ; the first 

 passes slightly down, then outwardly to ihe angle of the lower 

 jaw, whence it is continued by a broad bright yellow band ; 

 within this, from the middle of the lower jaw, a narrower band 

 of the same color passes back parallel with this ; and from the 

 tip of the chin a band runs down a short distance, and then 

 bifurcates into broader bands. These yellow lines upon the 

 head become red upon the neck, and are continued on to the 

 shoulders of this color. Two large yellow spots upon the 

 occiput. Eyes small ; pupils, a deep black ; irides golden ; a dark 

 line running through their centre. Fore legs black, a red band 

 passing through their centres ; and the commencement of a 

 second, on a line with the base of the previous one ; phalanges 

 marked with red lines. Hind feet, dark brown, above ; be- 

 neath, lighter, with a red band on each side. Tail of moderate 

 length, with two narrow longitudinal yellow bands uniting at 

 the posterior extremity ; beneath, marked by the narrow red 

 lines of the legs continued, which unite at the posterior portion, 

 forming a single red band. 



Its food is the same as that of the previous species. 



E. insculpta. Le Conte. The wood Tortoise. 



Ann. Lye. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 112. 



Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 152. 



Duin. et Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. torn, il p. 251. 



Specimens of this, our most beautiful tortoise, I have re- 

 ceived from Walpole, Concord, Amherst and Andover, and 

 learn that it is not uncommon in the ponds of several other 

 portions of the State. This species wanders a great distance 

 from, and remains a long time out of the water ; and being 

 oftentimes found in woods and pastures, has received the com- 

 27 



